There is no doubt manufacturing is one of our most critical industry sectors. Last year, manufacturing supported one in six private-sector jobs in America, and it is our state’s top economic driver, representing 17 percent of Kentucky’s GDP.

Unite to end domestic violence
With domestic violence awareness month approaching in October, it seems the ugliness of this abuse has reached an alarming rate on women and children of professional sports. As fans spend their income on entrance to these games and premium sports channels on television, it makes one pause. How much of their income is donated to the shelters that protect the victims of these rages, athlete or otherwise?

Marion County schools have been through several changes in the past five years. Through it all, education professionals, community members and business officials have all stressed that education needs to be a priority.
That is all well and good, even if people sometimes disagree over what that means.
But everyone should also remember something else: students are responsible for their own education.
Parents and teachers do have influence, certainly, but it’s up to each individual student to decide how much effort he or she will put into it.

I’ve been traveling a great deal this week to attend my committee meetings. Monday, the Interim Joint Committee on Education met in Lee County. Wednesday, I traveled to Paducah for the IJC on Labor. And Thursday, I was back in Frankfort for the Veterans, Military and Public Protection meeting. It was well worth it as I was able to see so much of our beautiful state and hear the current issues so important to our people.

All you fellow baby boomers will remember that Lebanon provided us with several recreational facilities when we were kids that the children growing up now don’t have.
These venues included a movie theater, a skating rink, and a bowling alley.
For many years, the Arista Theater was a fun place to see a movie on weekends. It was located where the new judicial center is now. Also, the drive-in movie theater on the Loretto Road was a gathering place; it is now gone.

By Wendell Lawrence
Executive Director
Lincoln Trail Area Development District

Finding talented individuals to fill open positions is one of the greatest challenges businesses in our region face. But the Greater Louisville Region, including the eight counties of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, has a distinct advantage in developing a pipeline of skilled employees ready for new opportunities.
That advantage is veteran talent.

Some things just make sense.
Some things make so much sense that there is no reason to debate or have lengthy discussions about them. Sometimes certain things make so much sense that we should all exclaim, “Yes! Let’s do it! Let’s make it happen!”

Mom was always concerned about all children's well being. She loved all children, and she couldn't understand why innocent children as young as 1 year old were being abused, molested and even killed by evil and wicked people.
American children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of abuse and neglect. Every year, more than three million reports of child abuse are made involving more than six million children in the United States.

Things had been relatively quiet around the Lebanon Tourist and Convention Commission for the past few years.
After a period of controversy, during which the commission’s continued existence was in question and a former executive director left for a job in a larger organization, things seemed to settle down. Even when the next director left and Carla Abbi (formerly Carla Wagner) rose to the executive director’s seat, the commission seemed to make a relatively smooth transition.

Looking for an exotic vacation spot? Tired of trips to the beach, the mountains or an amusement park? Need a place where the family can go to let off a little steam, maybe some aggression, make some noise, mess up some stuff?

Labor Day is Monday.
The only reason you probably know that is because you get an extra day off work (hopefully), or your kids don’t have school that day.
For many of us, Labor Day is the symbolic end of summer. (Can someone please pass the Kleenex?)
However, in terms of a “holiday,” Labor Day probably doesn’t mean much to you.
But, it should.
Labor Day is a public holiday held in honor of working people.

Every job requires a certain mix of skills and knowledge. A welder must read blueprints, retailers must have merchandising knowledge, software developers typically need to know C++ and so on.
Yet, the skills that many employers value the most apply to nearly every position in every field. These skills, commonly referred to as soft skills, can give you an incredible edge whether you’re looking for your next career opportunity or already on the job.